Vanadium catalysts and desulfurization of sulfur compound-containing gases therewith

Abstract

The desulfurization of gaseous effluents containing contaminating amounts of objectionable sulfur compounds, typically via the Claus reaction and notably in the presence of oxygen, utilizing a support substrate, e.g., titanium dioxide, having an active catalytic phase deposited thereon, such active catalytic phase being constituted of an electroneutral solid solution having the average composition: A.sub.4±y V.sub.2±x O.sub.9 in which A is a metal other than vanadium, e.g., magnesium, calcium or zinc, 0≦x≦0.2 and 0≦y≦0.5.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a process for the catalytic desulfurization of a gaseous feedstream containing contaminating amounts of at least one sulfur compound, the improvement which comprises, desulfurizing the feedstream employing a catalyst having an active catalytic phase deposited on a support substrate, said active catalytic phase comprising an electroneutral solid solution having an average composition:   A.sub.4±y V.sub.2±x O.sub.9     in which A is a metal other than vanadium, 0≦x ≦0.2 and 0≦y≦0.5.   
     
     
       2. The catalytic desulfurization process as defined by claim 1, wherein said at least one contaminating sulfur compound is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide or mixture thereof. 
     
     
       3. The catalytic desulfurization process as defined by claim 2, wherein the desulfurization process comprises a Claus reaction. 
     
     
       4. The catalytic desulfurization process as defined by claim 3, comprising conducting said Claus reaction in the presence of oxygen. 
     
     
       5. The catalytic desulfurization process as defined by claim 4, wherein said gaseous feedstream comprises said oxygen. 
     
     
       6. The catalytic desulfurization process as defined by claim 5, wherein said gaseous feedstream comprises an industrial gaseous effluent.